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France's parliament has approved a modified immigration law introducing changes that will affect international students, adding a new 'fee' for students to be eligible for student.
The latest version of the bill, which includes more stringent measures for foreigners in France, introduces a deposit requirement for those applying for a student visa. The specific amount of this deposit has not yet been specified but is intended to cover "unexpected costs" that may arise during the students' stay. The deposit will be refunded upon the expiration of the student residency permit, its renewal, or if the student obtains a new French residency permit with a different title or status. However, the deposit will be permanently withheld if the student has "evaded enforcement of a removal order."
The law will also enforce an increase in tuition fees for students from non-EU countries, as reported by French publication Le Parisien. It also mandates that students with multi-year residency permits provide annual evidence of enrolment in a 'real and serious study program.
While the immigration law poses challenges for immigrants in accessing certain benefits such as housing aid, international students are exempt from this specific change and can still receive housing benefits with their student visa.
The bill also makes it more challenging for immigrants to bring family members to France, extending the residency requirement from 18 to 24 months and raising the age for unmarried partners from 18 to 21. This aligns with a broader trend, as the UK recently implemented a ban on international students bringing dependents, effective from January 1.
The immigration law is pending approval by France's constitutional council, where certain aspects may undergo changes or removal in the process.
